Could Palmer Copy Favre's "Retirement" Strategy?

by BeerRun on Jan 24, 2011 12:43 PM EST

Cincinnati Bengals Owner/Master of Disaster Mike Brown today confirmed that the potential cancellation of the 2011 NFL season due to the league’s ongoing labor dispute may actually constitute a best-possible-scenario for Bengals fans.

Carson Palmer has no shortage of critics among Bengals fans, but the fact remains that the team has no better options on the roster, and the labor mess is likely to limit their ability to change that. Without a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), there’s no free agency in which to find a veteran stop-gap. And even if they draft a QB, without a new CBA the team can’t bring him in and teach him the system. In short, if Carson calls it a career, the Bengals’ "best" options consist of his younger brother Jordan or third-stringer Dan LaFevour.

If Carson does return, I can’t imagine now that he would be happy about it. It’s one thing to have a disgruntled wide receiver or running back. But a starting QB who wants out? That can’t end well.

Would Palmer actually retire? Two words: Brett Favre.

When Favre "retired" from the New York Jets after the 2008 season, his departure freed up $13 million in cap space for the cap-strapped Jets. So when Farve requested that the team release him from their reserve/retired list a couple months later, the Jets didn’t have much choice. Had Brett un-retired, the Jets would have been forced to gut the roster to free up the cap space again, or let Favre go anyhow.

Carson, who is due $11 million in 2011, could be contemplating a similar course of action. Whenever a new CBA is finally reached, it will almost certainly include a salary cap. And with a "retired" Carson sitting in California, the Bengals would have to stay substantially under the cap for years in order to prevent Carson from forcing his release by coming out of retirement.

Of course, having a built-in excuse to spend $11 million less than everyone else would probably be just fine with Brown.

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I'm with Carson

He’s made some absolutely ridiculous mistakes, over the years—fundamental mistakes that continued right up to that very last pass—but if someone is siding against him on this, it means they’re siding with Mike Brown. And for all his flaws, Carson has been better at being a QB than Mike Brown has been at being an Owner/GM. (Not that that’s a high bar, but still.)

Whether he’s retired or playing for someone else, Carson will be better off than if he stays in Cinci. I’m not talking about wins/losses, here, either. We’ve never invested enough in o-line, offensive coaching, or sane/mature receivers.

Will MB be able to find a good quarterback? I seriously doubt it, unless it’s by dumb luck. We’re probably going to be a defensive team from here on out.

by Big Sky Bengal on Jan 24, 2011 1:21 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Carson is pressuring the FO

WIthout saying it in public, he’s screaming it with this action.

BRAT NEEDS TO GO.

It may be that he also wanted Giggles to go as well, but I think he got wind that Brat was going to back and it was the last straw.

So, Mike Brown. Keep Brat, lose Carson. You’re move, and no, you can’t move your checkers backwards until they are kinged.

2010 - The Year of the LOLCats.

by UpStateMike on Jan 24, 2011 1:31 PM EST reply actions

We've had no statements from Carson about wanting Brat to go

It could just as easily be the Bengals deciding to let Brat go, and Carson demanding that he stay.

by emeybee on Jan 24, 2011 2:26 PM EST up reply actions

or maybe it has nothing to do with Brat

and everything to do with Marvin backing down to MB.

"When you chart (the plays) and see where it broke down there was no common theme to it." - Bob Bratkowski

by featherman on Jan 24, 2011 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

To Copy Favre

is retarded. If you retire, stay retired.

Mike Brown is the true definition of a businessman:
1.Build bare essentials to run business(PB Stadium)-✔
2.Hire cheap players-✔
3.When you suck don't give in to anyone's demands-✔
4. Change is a bad thing-✔

by RIP Slim on Jan 24, 2011 1:32 PM EST reply actions

Let him GO!!!

They should just let him go or trade him cause I dont want a guy playing for me that doesnt want to play for me…and there are so many QBS you can go after right now…Mcnaab, Orton, Hasselback, Vince Young, Kevin Kolb…we can get a replacement and in my opinion, I wonder when Palmer felt like he wanted to leave…what if he has been just going through the motions with the team not really caring anymore,,,they have a Oline made of scraps…a bad offensive coordinator who cant put a decent gameplan together to feature our players correctly…this whole thing needs to be blown up..get rid of Ocho…I cant believe Hard Headed Brown didnt trade those 2 first round picks for the Ocho…we still havent won with him…and I bet we still dont win with Palmer…and I have watched Palmer I dont think he cares anymore cause his decision making his horrible or he could just be doing it on purpose…how bad does he have to play in order for them to be like hes done…and how many outburst on the field does Chad have to have to realize hes just not the right player for this team..its not making our team better to keep these guys.

by xxTheSleeperxx on Jan 24, 2011 1:36 PM EST reply actions

another QB i want to get!

Matt Flynn!!! He is a winner!! He has won a National Championship and had been under Aaron Rogers wings the last 2 years!! And we could get him cheap considering he hasnt proven it yet!! BUT HE WILL!!!!!!

by big_A_1982 on Jan 24, 2011 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

GREAT POINT

I hadn’t even though about Flynn! Plus you know he’s being groomed the right way in GB. Only problem- is he developed enough to come here and play, or is he still raw enough to where we will ruin him/stunt his dev?

The Curse of Bo Jackson: Jan 13th,1991- present day

by TruWhoDey on Jan 24, 2011 5:32 PM EST up reply actions

He’s already copied Favre’s shitty QB rating numbers and INT’s, so why not this?

Still not a crook!

by TrickyD26 on Jan 24, 2011 2:16 PM EST reply actions

+4+9...lol

2011 and beyond. Only one thing came true on the last wishlist.
This year's wishlist
1. Bengals win Super Bowl (Something I hope for every year)
2. Reds win the World Series(or at least a playoff game)
3. Ohio State Wins a Big 10 title
4. Cavaliers actually finish with a winning record
5. Wings win the Cup

by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Jan 24, 2011 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

still trying to hold out hope

this could be Carson’s ploy to get the fans back in his corner, and the franchise (even more) in the palm of his hand. If he pulls this off and gets whatever it is that will satisfy him THEN starts winning/producing, he’ll be a Hero in Cincinnati. If he stands firm and retires, it will basically force the MB issue into the national spotlight with much more force than any fan movement/disgruntlement EVER could. Worst case scenario, we free up 50 million, and sputter for a minimum of 2-4 years (something we’re used to anyways) atleast in this scenario we won’t be living of false hope and going through the pain of having our hearts ripped out every year….won’t be as tough to swallow when you KNOW it’s coming….

The Curse of Bo Jackson: Jan 13th,1991- present day

by TruWhoDey on Jan 24, 2011 2:32 PM EST reply actions

He's doing the right thing!!!!

I dnt think CP has much left in the tank but somebody needs to put pressure on MB. CP is tired of the bs thats goin on in Cincy. Now its time for MB to make a stand an change his ways are loose a QB he loves so much. Im glad CP is standing up for himself. Lets change the face of the offense starting at OC and maybe even QB. Not mad that CP wants better. Good luck CP!!!!

by i am will on Jan 24, 2011 3:58 PM EST reply actions